Miami-Dade County Commission approves Marlins ballpark
After more than a decade of working for a new ballpark under two separate ownership groups, the Florida Marlins are finally in the driver’s seat after the Miami-Dade County Commission approved a funding plan.After more than a decade of working for a new ballpark under two separate ownership groups, the Florida Marlins are finally in […]
Cactus League attendance down 5 percent, despite new teams
The official numbers confirm what many in baseball have been saying: attendance is down 5 percent in Cactus League games this spring despite the full-time addition of the Indians and Dodgers to the mix.The official numbers confirm what many in baseball have been saying: attendance is down 5 percent in Cactus League games this spring […]
County debates new Marlins ballpark
While it appears the votes are there for Miami-Dade County approval of a new Florida Marlins ballpark, the debate goes on.We’ve been monitoring the hearing and debate on the Miami-Dade County Commission over the fate of a new $636-million Florida Marlins ballpark. (You can check it out here for yourself.) So far both have been […]
Yankees unveil concessions lineup for new ballpark
The New York Yankees unveiled the concessions lineup for the team’s new ballpark, featuring a slew of offerings from specialty restaurants and the return of old favorites.The New York Yankees announced their new general concessions lineup for the 2009 season. The biggest change from the old Yankee Stadium: there will be a lot more points […]
Will ULB be revived for 2009 season?
A Florida bankruptcy court awarded the assets of United League Baseball to Reunion Sports, but it’s not clear yet whether baseball will return to the league’s cities in 2009.A Florida Dallas bankruptcy court awarded the assets of United League Baseball to Reunion Sports, but it’s not clear yet whether baseball will return to the league’s […]
Deal to bring ULB teams into CBL fails; league will play with six teams
Efforts to bring in franchises from the bankrupt United League Baseball failed, so the independent Continental Baseball League will field five teams and a travel squad for 2009.Efforts to bring in franchises from the bankrupt United League Baseball failed, so the independent Continental Baseball League will field five teams and a travel squad for 2009. […]
Dash announces new mascot; still working on new ballpark
Bolt is the name of the new Winston-Salem Dash mascot, but he’ll begin the year at Ernie Shore Field — and it’s still not clear how long he’ll entertain fans there.Bolt is the name of the new Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) mascot, but he’ll begin the year at Ernie Shore Field — […]
Raley Field / Sacramento River Cats
Raley Field isn’t really a downtown ballpark, being 15 minutes away and across the river from downtown Sacramento. It’s definitely not a suburban ballpark, located in a disused warehouse/industrial area. Let’s just say it’s an urban ballpark and leave it at that — besides proclaiming Raley Field a great ballpark. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 2000 […]
Roger Dean Stadium / St. Louis Cardinals / Jupiter Hammerheads & Palm Beach Cardinals
It is the busiest ballpark in professional baseball, a place where four teams play daily from the beginning of March through the middle of September. There’s no ballpark that hosts two pro teams simultaneously for two different sessions, all under the same management. Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 7,000 Architect: Populous Dimensions: 335L, 380LC, 400C, 375RC, […]
New Britain Stadium / New Britain Rock Cats
If you find yourself in New Britain, Conn., you’re in the hometown of Stanley Works, which, if your house is like mine, manufactured your tape measure, your hammer, and probably a lot of toys and gadgets in your toolbox. If you find yourself in New Britain, you’re in a central Connecticut town that’s proud of […]
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium / Omaha Royals / College World Series
Writing about Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium is really a two-pronged deal. The ballpark must serve two masters — the College World Series and the Omaha Royals — and as a result it doesn’t serve either particularly well, especially the needs of the O-Royals. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1948 Capacity: 23,100 (17,700 grandstand, 5,400 general admission) Architect: […]
McCoy Stadium / Pawtucket Red Sox
Age is relative when it comes to baseball stadiums — a point well exemplified by McCoy Stadium, the home of the Pawtucket Red Sox. In theory, McCoy Stadium is one the oldest ballparks in the International League, first opening in 1942. So a visitor unfamiliar with the recent history of McCoy Stadium would expect a […]
Knights Stadium / Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights have been working for several years toward a new downtown ballpark. After visiting Knights Stadium, it’s easy for me to see why: Although Knights Stadium is a newer ballpark (opening in 1990), it’s not very nice and not very convenient. Located 14 miles south of Charlotte in Fort Mill, S.C., it seems […]